Revue Magazine - March 2005 in Revue Magazine

March 1992 to March 2005, we wondered if we should just skip this 13-year anniversary, it is that unpopular of a number. Some statistics note that more than 80 percent of high-rises (worldwide) lack a 13th floor. Many airports skip the 13th gate, hospitals and hotels regularly have no room number 13. Thinking about Semana Santa (Holy Week), this year Mar. 20-Mar. 27, there is a biblical reference to 13; it's the number of apostle's, counting Judas, with Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. But for the ancient Mayas, 13 was far from being unlucky. For starters, it is the root number in their Tzolkin (Divine calendar).

Now, should I have written ancient Mayas or Mayan? Why the confusion? Dr. Laura Martin sheds some light on the subject in Maya vs Mayan. People profiles include a photographer, ceramic artists, a governor and a historian. All of them are men. Not that we are counting. We are, however, leading with a DateBook highlight featuring Cynthia Jickling and the 15th anniversary of her very popular show, Mis Amigas, an event that brings together artists and artisans of La Antigua, Guatemala City, villages and rural areas. In another highlight, Sowing Symbolism, author Barabara Knoke de Arathoon provides a glimpse of a new exhibit that is dedicated to Soledad Icú Perén. Joy Houston writes about Catherine of Aragón and her Señor Sepultado. Estimated to be over 500 years old, church records show that this image has been carried in processions in Guatemala for the past 435 years. In 1580, 46 years after the marriage of English King Henry VIII and Spanish princess Catherine of Aragón was annulled, construction began on the San Sebastián Church in Santiago (La Antigua) Guatemala, this issue's "lesser-known ruin". Zen followers, get ready for quedar and quedarse.

If you need to find an advertiser fast, head straight to the Index. If you want to take your time, we hope that you find this edition informative, interesting and amusing. Work on the Revue has been a wonderful 13-year on-going process; we hope to celebrate many more anniversaries together with you. In the meantime here is to safe travels, armchair or otherwise!